We left late for an outing around Rabat. The summer heat started to burn my back and the Saturday crowd was already out and about. Youssef came around the place to help us set up the simcard. I felt so bad to drag him all the way from his place to serve us; but we badly needed the line while out in the city. After dealing with the telco office,he dropped us at Hassan Tower, a popular tourist spot in Rabat. We’d been here last time but glad to be there again as the place was uniquely beautiful. The weather was nice as we approached the mid-day. The sun was there staring at us, but the heat was compromised by the breeze coming from the ocean. The place was actually not far from the sea.
The wind blew hard to make the whole afternoon so nice. We headed to the beach although an integrated highway (with a tram line went through) stood between us and the ocean. “Just follow the crowd”, I remembered Youssef said earlier. We walked passing a beautiful garden and crossing the busy highway to reach an esplanade that runs along the river. The place filled with people enjoying the summertime. It was like a festival just about to begin. I have never felt more relax in my life than the stroll I took that afternoon. The place was really awesome.
Kasbah Oudaya was ahead of us. An old fort that during our visit that day went through a massive renovation. They let us in anyway and we walked uphill till the edge of the fort which faces the ocean. The fort was high above a cliff and seemed to be perfect for a defensive system against an invading army from the sea. But that afternoon we just let the wind blew our faces and sometimes it took my hat along. In the kasbah, old houses with traditional door lined the narrow street. Some of the houses have turned into shops selling souvenirs to the tourists.
As the day getting late, we needed to move on. We approached a policeman who stood guard at the entrance and asked for direction. I mentioned the address and he looked deep into my eyes and repeated the address. And then he blurted out the direction. He motioned his hand to show where to go. I had no clue what he was saying but understood the hand’s gesture perfectly. With that, I thanked him and moved on. We went passed a Medina Souq where everything hung or stood alongside the dusty path could be mine and find a place in my luggage. The temptations went high and “OK we can come later for this” was quietly whispered to myself just to make me feel better and moved on. We eventually found the apartment a few kilometres later. Tired and exhausted, I fell asleep. It was definitely an awesome day.
I woke up later with a fever. Oh no …..
